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Chirlane McCray Unveils Proposal For Upgraded Mental Health Services In NYC

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Spending on mental health services in New York City could soon be boosted by tens of millions of dollars under a proposal announced by the city's first lady, Chirlane McCray.

WCBS 880's Marla Diamond spoke with McCray Tuesday about the budget proposal.

McCray has made strengthening mental health services in New York City her signature issue.

"We have programs that are being offered through all of these agencies but no one has ever really taken a deep look at how much funding they get; where the funding is going; are the services of consistent standards and are the services where the people need them?" McCray said.

Chirlane McCray Unveils Proposal For Upgraded Mental Health Services In NYC

Under the proposal, more than 800 schools in low-income areas would get mental health clinics, police precincts would have a victim's advocate, and homeless families would receive psychological care, Diamond reported.

The initial cost is estimated at $54 million.

"Please don't hold me to this. I think we'll spend a lot of money in the beginning," McCray said. "But it's actually going to save us a lot of money down the line."

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